Government shouldn't pay for responding to census

Admittedly, filling out a census form is a chore, especially for those who received the long version, which officials say takes about 45 minutes to complete.

But should people be paid to fill out and turn in their own census forms?

City officials in the South Georgia city of Valdosta apparently think so. They're paying a $5 bonus to anyone who returns a census questionnaire.

Aware that a complete count of its population means more federal dollars for their city over the next decade, Valdosta City Council members voted last week to give $5 to people who bring in their census forms.

The plan attracted the attention of the Southeastern Legal Foundation, a conservative public interest law group that already has successfully challenged plans to use statistical sampling in the census.

An official with the foundation says the move may violate the Georgia Constitution, which outlaws the payment of ''gratuities'' to promote economic activity.

Even if it's not a violation of the Constitution, the idea of paying people to fulfill a simple civic responsibility is so offensive it should dissuade others from emulating the actions of the Valdosta City Council.

Have we become so crass and cynical that we have to pay people to be good citizens? Like it or not, we all have a legal responsibility to return our census forms. Bribes should not even be considered.

Admittedly, citizens get a stipend for performing specific civic functions, such as serving on a jury. But requiring all heads of households to answer a few questions in the privacy of their homes is not the same as selecting a few individuals and forcing them to give up several days of their time for a trial.

The fact that only 15 people took advantage of the offer on the first day it was available could be a sign that the residents of Valdosta found the proposal insulting.

We hope it doesn't mean they're holding out for a better offer. But if this idea catches on, that may be what it comes down to -- holding census forms hostage for a higher handout.